Hillsborough memorials for the 96

Hillsborough memorials for the 96

LIVERPOOL will mark the 24th anniversary of the Hillsborough tragedy with two permanent memorials to the 96 people who lost their lives.

Families of the victims will come together in the city centre on Sunday 14th April, the day before the anniversary, for two special ceremonies, which will dedicate a special clock which has been installed atLiverpool Town Hall and a memorial monument which has been erected on Old Haymarket, opposite World Museum.

Mayor Joe Anderson, together with the Lord Mayor of Liverpool, Sharon Sullivan, will lead a private ceremony at the Town Hall for the dedication of the clock at 12 noon. The ornate 1780s piece from National Museums Liverpool’s collections was made by renowned clock maker John Clifton. The mahogany ‘long case clock’ stands eight feet tall and is intricately decorated with floral images.

The hands on its 13″ arch dial, which features the sun and moon rising, will be frozen at 3.06pm, the time that the FA Cup semi-final between Liverpool and Nottingham Forest on 15 April 1989 was stopped.

The Town Hall ceremony will also include the lighting of candles and prayers.

The commemorations will then proceed to Old Haymarket, where the memorial monument will be officially dedicated at a public ceremony at 2pm. Created by sculptor Tom Murphy, the seven-foot bronze structure features the words ‘Hillsborough Disaster – we will remember them’, along with the names of all 96 Liverpool FC supporters who died on the Leppings Lane terraces.

The Hillsborough Justice Campaign commissioned artist Tom Murphy to create the monument which it is formally donating to the city. The completion of this tribute to Hillsborough victims has been made possible because of the support and donations given to the HJC from across the world.

The Old Haymarket ceremony will give families and members of the public the chance to see the monument for the first time.

Mayor of Liverpool, Joe Anderson said: “We will never forget those who lost their lives at Hillsborough, or the impact the disaster has had on their bereaved families. The anger, pain and sorrow they have felt for the past 24 years is shared by everyone in Liverpool, and by thousands of others across Merseyside, across the country and around the world.

“That’s why it’s important the city has these permanent memorials, as a symbol of our solidarity and support for the families of the 96 and as a permanent reminder of the long and difficult fight for truth and justice. They will also serve as a powerful symbol of what has been a momentous year for the city, with the publication of the Hillsborough Independent Panel’s report.

“It is to the credit of families that they have never given up on their quest to find out what happened on that dreadful day, and have continued to act with dignity and bravery. Following the publication of the report – which revealed the disastrous failings of the public authorities on the day, and the conspiracy to shift the blame onto fans – it is more important than ever that we continue to support them to ensure they get the justice they deserve.”

Lord Mayor of Liverpool, Councillor Sharon Sullivan, said: “This will be an emotional day for Liverpool which will see our city establishing a lasting tribute to those who died at Hillsborough. These memorials will serve as a reminder of the events of that terrible day, and ensure no one ever forgets the sadness and suffering it has caused in the years since.

“I speak on behalf of the city in saying to the families of the 96 that we stand united behind them, that we commend their bravery and that we will continue to support them in their fight for justice.”